How do you use "Throw in the towel" in a sentence?

After three years of trying to make the restaurant work, they threw in the towel. I was ready to throw in the towel on this project, but then we got funding. Don't throw in the towel yet — we're so close to finishing.

Throw in the towel

Q: What does "Throw in the towel" mean?

To give up, quit, or surrender. In boxing, a fighter's corner throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight — it's a surrender. In everyday use, it means giving up on something you've been struggling with.

American Slang Term American ★★★★★ Very Common informal

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의미: To give up, quit, or surrender.

放弃、认输、投降。

Rendirse, abandonar o darse por vencido.

諦める、やめる、降参する。

포기하다, 그만두다, 항복하다.

In boxing, a fighter's corner throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight — it's a surrender. In everyday use, it means giving up on something you've been struggling with.

在拳击中，选手的助手把毛巾扔进擂台表示终止比赛——这是投降的意思。在日常用语中，它意味着放弃你一直在苦苦挣扎的事情。

En el boxeo, la esquina del luchador lanza una toalla al ring para detener el combate: es una rendición. En el uso cotidiano, significa rendirse ante algo con lo que llevas luchando.

ボクシングで、セコンドがリングにタオルを投げ入れると試合が止まる — 降参の合図だ。日常では、苦戦していたことを諦めるという意味で使われる。

복싱에서 선수의 코너에서 타월을 링에 던지면 경기를 중단시키는 것이다 — 항복의 의미이다. 일상에서는 힘들게 고군분투하던 것을 포기하는 것을 의미한다.

예문

After three years of trying to make the restaurant work, they threw in the towel.
尝试了三年让餐厅运转起来之后，他们终于放弃了。
Después de tres años intentando que el restaurante funcionara, tiraron la toalla.
レストランを3年間やってみたが、ついにギブアップした。
3년간 레스토랑을 운영해 보다가 결국 포기했다.
I was ready to throw in the towel on this project, but then we got funding.
我本来都准备放弃这个项目了，结果拿到了资金。
Estaba a punto de tirar la toalla con este proyecto, pero entonces conseguimos financiación.
このプロジェクトはもう投げ出そうと思っていたら、資金が集まった。
이 프로젝트를 포기하려던 참이었는데, 그때 자금이 들어왔다.
Don't throw in the towel yet — we're so close to finishing.
先别放弃——我们马上就做完了。
No tires la toalla todavía: estamos muy cerca de terminar.
まだ諦めるな — もうすぐ終わるんだから。
아직 포기하지 마 — 거의 다 끝났잖아.

발음

사용 가이드

맥락: giving up, surrender, quitting

어조: defeated, resigned

✓ 올바른 표현

I'm ready to throw in the towel.
我准备认输了。
Estoy listo para tirar la toalla.
もうギブアップしそうだ。
이제 포기할 준비가 됐어.
Don't throw in the towel just yet.
先别急着放弃。
No tires la toalla todavía.
まだ諦めるなよ。
아직 포기하지 마.

✗ 잘못된 표현

Using it too early can seem like you lack perseverance
太早用这个词会显得你缺乏毅力
Usarlo demasiado pronto puede hacer que parezcas poco perseverante
早い段階で使うと、根性がないと思われることがある
너무 일찍 사용하면 끈기가 부족한 것처럼 보일 수 있습니다

기원과 역사

From boxing, where throwing a towel into the ring signals concession. This tradition dates back to the late 19th century.

문화적 배경

Era: Late 19th century boxing

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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